2018 Savannah Faith Sides

Savannah Faith Sides

Organ, tissue and cornea donor

Age 5 ~ Jasper, AL

donated on 5/15/2007

At Children’s of Alabama

Honored by Alabama Organ Center

On April 2007, and after seeing an Alabama Organ Center PSA, Savannah’s family made the decision to donate. While her parents registered online, Savannah learned about donation and insisted that she wanted to become a donor, because she would not need her organs when she would get to heaven. Little did her parents know that exactly one month later, they would lose Savannah in a tragic car accident. When the doctors told her dad that there was no brain activity, he remembered her words, “I won’t need them when I get to Heaven.” Savannah’s selfless decision saved seven lives through organ, eye and tissue donation. She loved all people unconditionally. Her decision to donate has led her parents to share her story and advocate for organ donation.

Savannah’s Story

Savannah’s story began on April 15, 2007. After seeing an Alabama Organ Center commercial, our family made the decision to be organ donors. While registering on-line, Savannah walked in the room and asked, “Mommy, what are you doing?” I explained to her what I was doing and she replied, “I want to do that too!” I said, “You’re mommy’s baby and we have a long time to worry about that.” She became very insistent. “You don’t understand, Mommy, you need to sign me up because I won’t need them when I get to Heaven.”

We didn’t know how that decision would forever alter our family. Little did we know that exactly one month later on May 15, 2007, we would lose her in a tragic car accident. When the doctors told my husband that there was no brain activity, he remembered her words, “I won’t need them when I get to Heaven.” He asked the doctors if she could help somebody. That day, Savannah’s selfless decision saved five lives through organ and tissue donation and two others received her corneas.

Savannah loved all people unconditionally. Her decision changed our lives and has caused us to walk many paths and learn many lessons. It taught us to forgive quickly, love unconditionally, and always look for the good no matter what the situation.

For 10 years we’ve walked this journey God has put us on. We’ve met Savannah’s liver recipient who just celebrated her 12th birthday. She has been one of our biggest blessings on this journey.

Savannah’s gift didn’t stop at those 7 lives. Her gift will keep giving for many generations to come. We, as a family, have spent these years sharing her story, advocating for organ donation, and volunteering with the Alabama Organ Center.

Last year, our granddaughter, Savannah’s niece, Emmalynn, was diagnosed with liver cancer. On August 5, 2016 she received a liver transplant. We now embrace the journey as a donor family and recipient family. If only everyone could see each other and all the blessings the way Savannah did. What a beautiful place our world would be.